Changing from Motorhome to Caravan?
Hi All,
We are still fairly new to this, just about to start out 4th season. We started off with a small Talbot Express camper van which we thoroughly enjoyed and then the following year moved to a larger Transit Motorhome, again absolutely brilliant. There is a
problem though once you get to a site you are stuck unless you hire a car or use the motohome which isn't always practical.
We are thinking about changing to a small caravan, something we can store at home possibly in the garage. What are peoples thoughts about pop top caravans like the Fleurette Tamaris 35, they look quite good. Are they easy to tow and do the tops seal properly?
Thoughts would be apreciated.
Thanks
Comments
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We had a Rapido Club pop-top that fitted in a normal garage when the roof was down. It was only 5ft 10inches wide so you didn't need towing mirrors and you knew that where the car would go, the van would go. I loved it but my husband who is over 6ft tall kept banging his head on the doorframe and the kitchen cupboards so he was not too keen. I think Fleurette took over the Rapido pop-top range and even more recently Silver make some too.
I think they are great and wouldn't hesitate to have another. If I was towing in the colder months I would go for a Hymer Eriba (not the rounded corner Eriba) pop-top as their insulation is better although I think they are much more expensive.
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I m not sure what your reasons are for being in the caravanning / motorvanning fraternity, greenapple ! Are you an avid sight-seer, visit Big Houses or estates perhaps or do you like to find the remoter spots & go hill
walking ?? All these can have a different requirement / need for off site transport.I, being single , have had no problems packing my PVC motor up if I want to go off site for an hour or two or even a day or so. I've had m/vans since I packed away my Canadienne tenting tackle back in about 1979.
Thats assuming I want to clock up a few miles, otherwise its possible to walk or take the 'bus ( I do not ride cycles -- I prefer to stay in one, unbruised piece
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Hello greenapple weve moved from motorhomes to caravan although more for monetery reasons than anything. We found that we didnt have enough free time to warrant having a motorhome in storage but missed camping so bought an old hymer caravan . I think the
difference in the type of holiday is that a motorhome is more of a pleasure when travelling , but with a caravan you have more freedom when on site (ill let you know after ive done my maiden voyage) good luck to you from mrs black caviar:)0 -
Hello Greenapple. I chose a caravan over a motorhome for exactly the reason you are switching, the freedom of having your car to explore your chosen holiday destination far out ways any advantages of not having to tow. Sorry that I’m unable to advise on
pop up caravans, I’ve never owned one but I have seen quite a few on sites and they look good.Good luck with whatever you decide to go with and happy caravanning.
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there are many threads about this subject, some current ones you may look up, where its pretty much all been said...
there are advantages (differences) with each style of camping....different appreciation of what the word 'freedom' means....
some feel its being able to pull over where you like, moving on as part of the next days exploration....some feel its more about going over the same area in more detail and returning to base each day....just different....
just a suggestion......there are ways to get about which dont involve a car....or changing your van....
im not sure how fit you guys are, or if youve ever been (or are) cyclists, but more folk are using electric bikes.....the range of these is pretty phenomenal these days, with the latest bikes offering over 100 miles on a single charge....
in fact, we'll be using ours to cycle from Brighton to Shoreham (bike shop) one day this week to look closely at another one for OH....
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About four years ago, I considered the same switch, but I didn't
The payload of even a twin axle caravan was pathetic, nothing less than that, and the thought of moving stuff about in the van, moving stuff from the car to the van and vice versa, an outside water barrel in winter than would freeze, the list went on.
I would have made good financial sense too, swapping a tag motorhome for a twin axle caravan and a good solid tow car, but alas, not for us.
Russ
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What are peoples thoughts about pop top caravans like the Fleurette Tamaris 35, they look quite good. Are they easy to tow and do the tops seal properly?
Think the OP was more interested in pop ups rather than the continually discussions re caravans/MH
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there are many threads about this subject, some current ones you may look up, where its pretty much all been said...
there are advantages (differences) with each style of camping....different appreciation of what the word 'freedom' means....
some feel its being able to pull over where you like, moving on as part of the next days exploration....some feel its more about going over the same area in more detail and returning to base each day....just different....
just a suggestion......there are ways to get about which dont involve a car....or changing your van....
im not sure how fit you guys are, or if youve ever been (or are) cyclists, but more folk are using electric bikes.....the range of these is pretty phenomenal these days, with the latest bikes offering over 100 miles on a single charge....
in fact, we'll be using ours to cycle from Brighton to Shoreham (bike shop) one day this week to look closely at another one for OH....
Personally I would rather be sat in comfort in a safer ebviroment than being exposed to the open air on two wheels getting a sore backside depending on how long you are in the saddle plus weather conditions possible rain etc and winter caravanning the cold
wearher and dangers on two wheels with little or no protection from possible accidents from other motorists. It's a personal choice a bike is no match or substitute whatsoever for a car when on site.0 -
ga1, I have no drum to bang for either camp re LV's. I have a friend who owned a three quarter C/Van(His words) He loved towing it due to its ease of towing as it rode low as opposed to acting like a ship sail. It was lighter to manoeuvre when at His destination.
Each time He upgraded it He invariably chose another three quarter Van.0 -
there are many threads about this subject, some current ones you may look up, where its pretty much all been said...
there are advantages (differences) with each style of camping....different appreciation of what the word 'freedom' means....
some feel its being able to pull over where you like, moving on as part of the next days exploration....some feel its more about going over the same area in more detail and returning to base each day....just different....
just a suggestion......there are ways to get about which dont involve a car....or changing your van....
im not sure how fit you guys are, or if youve ever been (or are) cyclists, but more folk are using electric bikes.....the range of these is pretty phenomenal these days, with the latest bikes offering over 100 miles on a single charge....
in fact, we'll be using ours to cycle from Brighton to Shoreham (bike shop) one day this week to look closely at another one for OH....
Personally I would rather be sat in comfort in a safer ebviroment than being exposed to the open air on two wheels getting a sore backside depending on how long you are in the saddle plus weather conditions possible rain etc and winter caravanning the cold
wearher and dangers on two wheels with little or no protection from possible accidents from other motorists. It's a personal choice a bike is no match or substitute whatsoever for a car when on site....yes biking is not for everyone, hence my qualified suggestion to the OP.
...and yes, sitting in a car being wafted along without making any effort is 'easier' (effort wise) than biking....
...but on a nice day, on a nice quiet cycle route, i know where id rather be......in the fresh air.....enjoying the countryside....
similarly not everyone wants to drive a car everywhere, for many reasons, parking, environmental, cost, noise, jams, etc..
also, i dont want my 'sore backside' getting any larger because i can be bothered to get off it....
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I'm struggling to understand why the OP thinks its sometimes impractical to use a motorhome when going off site. Without wishing to pry into personal circumstances [greenapple may have very valid personal reasons why the motorhome is impractical at times],
I wonder whether it would be better to explore how to overcome those impracticalities.I've never felt the need to hire a car although I will use public transport occasionally and we walk; usually we take the motorhome.
I'm glad the OP is enjoying the outdoor life and send my best wishes for whatever is decided in the future.
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To respond to the fears about water ingress mentioned by Deleted User User - we had no problems at all with ours. I was told that there is sometimes a problem with the automatic lift up ones but ours was a 1995 manual one (it was very easy to pop up) and it
was absolutely watetight. Also, it obviously makes a difference if you keep it stored in a garage when not in use.0 -
The best pop top if you can find one and afford it is almost certainly the Eriba. Incredibly well made but possibly a little dark. Problem is they hold their value better than anything else so second hand they may look dear.
If you want a conventional caravan then Freedom have good following but are dark inside and basic. For a more conventional but diminutive model the Lunar Ariva is hard to beat.
Not sure why people are criticising the OP for wanting to change. Motorhomes and caravans suit different people and you select what is best for you and should not criticise those in the other camp. There thoughts are valid in many ways and it is up to them to to decide how they want to tour.
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Thanks for all the replies!
We haven't made our minds up yet as we do like the motorhome but although we can walk a couple of miles my wife struggles with much more having had hip and knee replacements, and the thought of her on a bike ! There are ocassions when we like to go deeper into the countryside which is dificult in a motorhome. We wait and see, but thanks to all who took the time to comment it is appreciated.0 -
We had m/vs for nine years touring uk only now ,and as we have got older and less mobile, OH more,we found that it was far easier to return to a c/van, third now on order,as it was becoming more difficult to find sites that were near towns or public transport,and
parking for a m/v giving the same space as a c/van of a comfortable length was/is becoming more of a problem0 -
It's difficult to comment on the OP's issue without knowing how big their Motorhome Is. If you have a huge vehicle then getting into the countryside might be a problem in some places.
We have a 6m Motorhome which fits in most parking spaces. We have never had a problem taking it anywhere.
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